Chapter 19

GRAYSON

M y head is pounding and not just from being punched in the face. I glance towards Prue who is in the backseat of the car. Emmett is driving and I'm just sitting in the passenger seat trying to figure out, well, everything.

No one has uttered a word. What she did tonight shouldn't have been possible. Cole's magic should have been unstoppable once it had a hold on her. He should have dissolved Prue's existence right before our eyes. I swallow hard, forcing myself to unclench my fist from the steering wheel.

But Prue didn't disappear. She pushed back and somehow stopped Cole. It's another reminder of just how powerful she is, how little we truly understand about her abilities as a Time Witch. The realization terrifies me.

Emmett takes a longer route home, ensuring we're not followed. When we finally pull up to the house, we all climb out of the car without a word between us. Prue walks in first, her steps unsteady. Emmett hangs back, and I know he wants to talk. Fucking finally.

"She managed to stop Cole," Emmett says, moving to the porch. I follow him, my shoulders rigid.

"I know." The words come out harsher than intended.

"Have you ever seen anything like that, Gray?"

"No." The word feels like gravel in my mouth.

"It shouldn't have been possible, he had her," I swallow hard, saying those words makes my throat constrict. I slam my hand against the railing, welcoming the pain. "His magic was past the point where she should have been able to stop it."

"She's the Time Witch. Theoretically, anything is possible with her power." Emmett shrugs, and rubs his hand over his face and then his eyes narrow at me.

"We need to tell her, Grayson."

"No," I snap, then force myself to soften my tone. "Her power has a strong emotional link. You've seen how uncontrollable it can be."

"She managed to control it tonight without us." Emmett's words are accusatory.

"Yeah, she did." My voice drops, frustration seeping into every word. "And we have no idea how or why."

"She deserves to know, Grayson."

"Of course she does, Emmett, but we have to weigh up the broader picture." I say and run a hand through my hair, tugging at the roots.

"Gray," Emmett's voice is quiet but intense. "You watched your world dissolve. You almost watched her disappear tonight. Are you going to be able to let that happen? Because you and I both know that the time streams may use her and her magic as the stabilizing force, they will integrate her essence with theirs and she'll exist but as no more as a stream of magic that runs through them. She thinks she's going home at the end of this."

The words hit me like a physical blow. And I grip the railing even harder. Watching it almost happen to Prue tonight felt like someone was carving out my insides and then pouring acid into me. I shove against the feeling, locking down my emotions and focusing on the present.

"We don't know what will happen," I say, but the words sound hollow even to me.

"But she should know it's a possibility," Emmett insists. "That if she does this, the time streams will use her and her magic to balance everything out again."

I clench my jaw so hard it hurts. "We don't have a choice, Emmett. This has to be seen through."

"We always have a choice." His jaw ticks, and for a moment, I envy his ability to see shades of grey where I only see black and white. It must be less constricting, more optimistic to see different paths, to not feel shackled to a right or a wrong.

"Even when the universe is on the line?" I challenge, my voice rising.

"Even then."

We stand in silence for a moment, the disagreement heavy between us and I shift the topic, not wanting to debate this anymore.

"You need to leave tomorrow." I say what we both know needs to happen.

Emmett doesn't look surprised, he leans against the railing and tucks his hands into his pockets. "I know. I need to find the spot where the time streams need repairing."

"Can you do it alone?"

He hesitates. "I think so. It'll be harder, but I can manage."

I exhale slowly, trying to release some of the tension all through my body. "Good. The sooner we can pinpoint the location, the better."

Emmett turns to go inside but pauses at the door. "Grayson, think about what I said. About telling Prue."

I don't respond, and he doesn't wait for one. The door closes behind him, leaving me alone on the porch. I stand there for a moment longer, staring out into the darkness. Fucking bowling. Great idea, Grayson.